CSN: Brady's deal will help Patriots reload

That Tom Brady and the Patriots worked out an extension through 2017 isn?t a stunner.
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He was due to consume about 18 percent of the Patriots salary cap in the final two years of his old deal ($21.8 million against a cap which hovers around $123 million).
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What is eye-opening is that Brady is ? according to the early contract numbers provided by SI and NBC?s Peter King ? playing for about $9 million a year in the three seasons that were added to his deal.
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That?s less than half what he could command in salary if he were a free agent now, never mind what he may have been able to command if he?d become a free agent in March of 2015.
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Brady is providing immediate cap relief to the Patriots to help them shop what they expect to be a flooded free agent market beginning March 12. And he allows flexibility down the road as well when Brady is into his football dotage as the consummate Patriot looks at 40.
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Which dominoes can we expect to fall next? First up would probably be an extension for Wes Welker who ? since 2007 ? has made about $27 million while becoming the most prolific receiving target in football.
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Since Brady described Welker as the best teammate he?s ever had this past season, it?s logical to presume that Brady is hoping the Patriots funnel some of the savings he provided to getting Welker money that can give Welker some certainty as he enters the twilight of his career.
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When Welker signed his franchise tender last summer, he described the move as a leap of faith. If a contract extension for Welker follows ? and the chances of that are currently good, according to a well-placed source ? Brady may have provided the soft landing for Welker?s leap.
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In conversations with Brady this past season, he spoke often of the game-changing ability of corner Aqib Talib and Talib?s unmistakable impact on the team when he was part of the defense.
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Talib is also a soon-to-be free agent.
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Brady has never presumed to wear a management hat with the Patriots. And, while it?s possible his renegotiation came with specific requests for players to be re-signed, it?s unlikely given past history that he?d offer ultimatums.
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Suffice to say, though, he?ll closely watch where the money he?s saving the Patriots is going.
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Currently, the team is weak at wide receiver and strong like ox at tight end. The expensive Chad Ochocinco signing was a bust. The less expensive Brandon Lloyd signing worked out better but Lloyd hasn?t distinguished himself as a game changer, merely a complementary piece.
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With the money New England?s saved, they may be able to enter into talks for a player like Steelers wideout Mike Wallace as he hits the free agent market.
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We?ll find out when the contract specifics are all laid out exactly how much the Patriots saved with Brady?s re-do. And whether Brady actually plays for $9 million a year from 2014 through 2017 remains to be seen. He may renegotiate again to a salary more reflective of his value. But for now, Brady?s renegotiation has given this team which has been to two Super Bowls and two AFC Championships since it won its last Lombardi the wherewithal to shop for players that will make them Super Bowl contenders clean through until Brady hits 40.

Source: http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/bradys-team-friendly-deal-creates-cap-relief-flexibility

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